A very simple generic fantasy RPG. Resolution is by rolling a
number of d10s and summing the total with stat to compare to a
target number. Higher task difficulty increases the number of
d10s rolled but increases the target number even more. (The easiest
is 1d10 + stat vs. 20; the hardest is 5d10 + stat vs. 100.)
Character creation is by choosing a number of selections from
race and profession, included in the Excel file. There is no
setting per se, but there are 24 races described - including
many monstrous ones.
~10 pages (Microsoft Excel format).

A preview release of an RPG set in Tolkien's Middle Earth.
The PDF is password protected, requiring a password given over
email by the creator. Character creation is limited point-based,
and resolution is 2d10 + skill. Heroic results can come from use
of the Ambar trait.
300 pages (PDF)

The preview version of a fantasy RPG set on an original
fantasy world -- the continent Algerian on the planet
of Azorath, inhabited by humans, elves, dwarves, and gnomes.
It uses the "InertiaX System" which emphasizes flexibility and
speed of resolution for combat. Action resolution is a stepped
dice pool (1d4, 2d4, and on up to 4d20, 5d20).
23 pages (PDF).

An Italian-language low fantasy RPG, with an official setting called
Endymia, though the system can be used with other fantasy settings.
It uses a skill-based system, with resolution based on
attribute + skill and a 1d12 check. It has 3 magic systems:
one for mental powers, one for prayers and one for spells.
80 pages core rules (PDF), plus 49 pages magic rules (PDF) and 78 pages
creature book (PDF).

A medieval fantasy RPG. It uses a simple percentile skill-based
system. Character creation is random-roll attributes and
a package of skills based on occupation.
~40 pages HTML rules (including races, skills, spells, and equipment).

"Ballad of a Greater Earth" Fantasy RPG, nominally set on a world
similar to our own which in the future suffers an apocalyptic
collapse to an early Renaissance level. It does not describe the
world per se, but covers sorcery, miracles, and various
traditional fantasy monsters. Resolution is by rolling a number
of d6's based on difficulty: Easy(2d6) to Very Hard (5d6).
Character creation is limited point-bought attributes and skills.
58 pages PDF.

A medieval fantasy system. Character creation uses a mix
of limited point-bought and random-roll attributes. Skills are
based on a skill cluster (Stealth, Physical Combat, Magic,
Religious, Mercantile, or Scientific) with some bonus skill
points.
~80 pages HTML in various pages.

A preview version of a commercial romantic fantasy RPG.
The rules are based on third edition D&D / "D20", with
major modifications including hit-point-less damage.
The full version also includes a hero point system (Conviction
Points), but it is not in this preview. This includes a
brief adventure and sample characters.
20 pages (PDF).

"A Hack-and-Slash Fantasy Horror Game". It uses a simple dice-pool
system: roll a number of d6 equal to stat, and compare total with
an opposed roll. Character creation is limited point-based. The
basic rulebook includes a mass combat system and even an index.
96 pages basic rules, 10 pages magic rules, 84 pages monster
booklets, 29 pages adventures (PDF).

A quickstart version of the commercial RPG from Troll Lord Games
that emulates early Dungeons & Dragons using a variant of
the WotC OGL rules. The rules include character creation rules
with four classes (fighter, rogue, wizard, and cleric) and
three races (human, dwarf, and elf), combat rules, and a
3-page mini-adventure. There are no advancement rules, but
the rules otherwise cover through level 4.
25 page preview rules (PDF)

A short introduction to the commercial C&S system. It adapts
concepts from the full game but with simplified rules. Action
resolution is by roll under (attribute plus skill minus
difficulty) on 1d20. Character creation is random-roll
attributes, picking a social class and vocation.
4 pages rules (PDF).

A fantasy genre RPG set on the an original fantasy world ("Tigmar"),
with background on the regions and races. There are twisted
subhumans, high humans, halflings, goblins, frog-people,
bird-people, and lizard-people -- but no dwarves or elves.
Action resolution is by 3d12 + attribute + skill vs Difficulty.
Character creation is random-roll attributes, and point-bought
skills using an occupation and lifepath.
340 pages rules and background (PDF).

A medieval fantasy system, with some parts designed with
computer aids in mind (although it is not required). Released
under the GNU Free Documentation License. Character creation is
a mix of random-roll attributes and point-bought skills and
extras.
143 pages core rules (PDF or MSWord).

A live-action fantasy rules system. Character creation is
limited point-based (attributes, virtues/flaws, and skills).
Resolution assumes boffer weapons for combat, with a number
of hit points of damage for each hit. Skills are resolved by
reporting a number of the GM.
~120 pages rules (HTML).

A generic fantasy game with a sample setting (The Grey Age).
Character races include human, dwarf, elf, and giant along with
Lutran (otter-like beings), Avials (intelligent parrot-like birds),
and Seekers (immortal human-like wanderers). Character creation is
open point-based, using experience points to buy up attribute-like
Talents and skill-like Flairs. It uses a dice pool system where you
roll d6s equal to Talent + difficulty + 1, and take out the lowest
dice equal to Talent. The lowest die remaining determines
the success level. The work-in-progress rules includes a magic
system with 34 spells and a handful of monsters.
58 pages (PDF format).

A fantasy genre game, the "Freeware Lite" version of a
not-yet-published commercial game. Action resolution is skill +
1d10 vs difficulty. Character creation is open point-bought.
The lite rules are generic fantasy, but there is a shared
world ("Yaddrin") under development.
25 pages rules (PDF).

A simple percentile skill-based system for an implied fantasy
setting where the privileged rich lord over the farming masses.
The player characters are adventurers collecting arcane items of
power and useful bits of information to improve their lot.
Character creation is open point-bought (50 points to split
among skills per level), and advancement is level-based.
There are rules for special talents and social background,
but no rules for magic or non-human races.
28 pages Rogue's Manual (PDF) plus 1 page Storyteller's Tips (PDF)
and 2 pages character sheet (PDF).

A generic fantasy-genre set of rules, with a sample kingdom
("Gwenil"). It uses a skill-based system: roll 1d12 under skill
or attribute. Character creation is via a random-roll number of
attribute points, a random advantage table, and fixed skill
points. There are generic systems for priestcraft and for
witchcraft.
90 pages core rules (PDF), plus 20 page weapons/armor supplement
(PDF), plus 92 page spellbook (PDF).

This is a fantasy role-playing/card game with a deck of 84
multi-leveled cards. The complete rules are available free,
with hundreds of monster cards, character cards, and equipment
cards.
38 page Player's Guide (PDF), 60 page GM's Guide (PDF), 600+
cards in JPG format.

A tabletop fantasy RPG set in the world of the
World of Warcraft computer game series from Blizzard
Entertainment. The system is based on Dungeons and Dragons,
but does not use the Open Game License or D20 brand. Resolution
is by rolling 2d10 plus attribute modifier vs. target number.
Character creation is by rolling the five attributes on 2d6 (or
variations) along with picking a race and class.
41 pages (PDF or HTML).

Billed as "an old-fashioned roleplaying game", this is a
simple fantasy RPG of dungeon-delving. Characters are
described by 3 attributes (Body, Agility, and Mind), with
six associated abilities. Resolution is based on roll under
attribute + ability + modifiers on 1d20.
20 pages rules (PDF)

A GMless RPG using customized cards for character creation,
building adventures, and resolution. The game begins by selecting
a Quest card, then character creation is done by each player
selecting a Hero card and Creature card, then all players play
five cards from the remaining cards to start the Adventure Map.
24 pages rules (PDF).

The preview version of a published small-press RPG. This is a
introductory fantasy version of the universal rules, and includes
a short magic system and bestiary. Resolution is by rolling
under attribute+skill on 2d8. Character creation is limited
point-bought.
21 pages PDF.

A German-language free RPG, set in an "ancientpunk" setting that
mixes different ancient cultures. Character creation uses
priority picks, where predetermined numbers are assigned to
stats (attributes, skills and feats). There are also backgrounds
(i.e. status, armies, pets, artifacts) and non-adventuring knacks
(i.e. linguist or musician). Resolution is by an open-ended d12
dice pool system, rolling attribute + skill dice, where each die
equal or less than the character's current health score (from 0
to 9) is one success. The system also includes "epic" points for
rerolls, refreshed by fulfilling character motivations. The core
rules also include a magic system and rules for organizations.
67 page hero book, 32 page myth and magic book, 11 page arsenal book.

A generic fantasy system similar to early Dungeons & Dragons,
using races, classes and levels. Resolution is by rolling 1d20 under
attribute or skill for success. Characters have a limited number
of Luck Points that they can spend to add their current Luck total
to the roll. There is a more involved system of saving throws
that includes listen/spot, as well as other variants.
80 pages rules.

A fantasy genre game currently (Nov 2002) in beta testing.
It is set on an original fantasy world ("Ardgan") where
within the past generation a number of people have begun
to be born with great magical powers, known as the Chosen of
the Fae. Character creation is limited point-based, with
powers for the type ("aspect") of Chosen.
~72 pages MSWord.

A generic medieval fantasy system. It uses a skill-based system
where resolution is by skill plus modifiers, where any result
of 20 or more is a success. Character creation is open point-based.
~50 pages core rules (HTML).

The preview version of a commercial fantasy RPG. Action resolution
is stat + 1d6 vs difficulty for ability checks, or 1d20 + modifiers
for combat. Character creation is random-roll attributes,
choice of class, and point-bought skills (d12 skill points).
Advancement is level-based. The preview version includes a limited
magic system and selection of monsters.
52 pages preview rules (PDF).

A system for the fantasy world of Bakara. Each race has
detailed character creation rules. Skills are generally
percentile, but with d20 combat resolution and adjustments from
attributes based on tables.
~290 pages HTML.

A simple yet detailed fantasy RPG. Resolution is by rolling
1d20 plus stat versus difficulty. There are no skills - only
special abilities. Character creation is choosing a race, two
specialties, two standard attacks, distributing 8 attribute points,
then picking special abilities equal to your level among your
specialties. Races include different types of minotaurs, elves,
and dwarves along with humans and vampires. The core rules include
a set of monsters but no setting.
~100 pages rules (HTML).

A fantasy RPG compatible with TSR's AD&D (1st or 2nd edition),
released under the GNU Free Documentation license. The system
is similar but with many changes and simplifications.
100 pages basic rules (PDF, RTF, or HTML).

A fantasy system, set in an AD&D-like world, using a
skill-based system. It also has a modern and sci-fi supplement,
Alien Dawn, although less developed. Character creation is
point-bought, but the available points are generated randomly.
The combat system focuses on realistic fights and uses cards
to determine the sequence of action.
86 page players handbook and 61 page GMs handbook
(RTF, PostScript, WordPerfect, and text-only formats).

A freeform online web-based fantasy RPG, set on an original
world: Hannsu. It has brief character creation rules but
online resolution is freeform, with moderator options.
~20 pages background and rules (HTML).

The preview version of the HARP (High Adventure Role Playing)
system from Iron Crown Enterprises. This is a generic fantasy
game. It includes simplified character creation rules, with
four classes: one Cleric type, Fighter, Mage, and Rogue.
Action resolution is stat plus a percentile roll to determine
level of success (with anything over 100 being success).
98 pages (PDF).

A generic fantasy system. Character creation is random-roll
attributes and template-based skills, though skills are
point-bought with experience. Action resolution is a
d6 dice-pool with a number of successes equal to the number of
6's rolled.
47 pages basic rules (PDF or HTML) plus 29 pages magic rules (PDF).

A medieval fantasy RPG set in an alternate world ("Nuevo Espana")
where refugees from Earth are oppressed by an evil regime derived
from the Spanish Inquisition. There are also fey races mixed in:
alien milanesians and fomorians (from Irish myth). It uses a
percentile skill-based system. Character creation is random-roll
attributes with "archetype" packages of skills with various
choices.
31 pages PDF rules plus 41 pages PDF background.

A fantasy RPG with rules based on the D6 system from West End
Games. Action resolution uses total of an Nd6 dice pool vs
difficulty. Character creation is limited point-based (18d of
attributes, up to 6d of ads/disads, 12d of skills). The core
rules include standard fantasy races (elf, dwarf). It also has
a fantasy world background with 17 original races.
19 pages rules (MSWord, PDF) plus 17 pages background (MSWord, PDF).

A very detailed fantasy world with non-system-specific notes. It
is intended to be realistic with fantasy additions. There are
traditional dwarves and elves along with Avarians, Saurians,
and other races. It details 35 nations and 26 cities along with
races, fauna, flora, and other information.
~250 pages HTML.

A play-by-post fantasy/adventure roleplaying site. There are
mechanical attributes and skills, but there are no combat
mechanics or random throws. Stats are used by the moderators to
help judge situations. It includes a limited point-based
character creation method, race descriptions, and some world
background.
~40 pages HTML rules.

A variant of the original Dungeons & Dragons game,
mimicking the original basic game circa 1980 based on the third
edition rules released under the Wizards of the Coast
Open Gaming License. The book is also available in print.
138 pages rules (PDF).

A mechanics system for fantasy. It has point-based character
creation, and percentile resolution. The magic system is
developed (verb-noun based), and there are rules for race
creation but there are no pre-made races yet.
~46 pages (HTML).

A simple electronic edition of the 1993 published fantasy
game, put online by the author. It is set in a light-hearted
Celtic-flavored world thick with faeries. The system uses a
universal Action Result Table (ART) included on the character
sheet. You find the row for skill (modified by difficulty)
and rolling percentile dice to find degree of success/failure
(5 levels each). Character creation is largely random-roll
with a choice of profession, developing a random "life-path"
of the character's history.
258 pages rules (HTML and PDF).

A fantasy genre RPG, set in a fantasy world based on European myth
and folklore. PCs are dwarves, elves, gnomes, goblins, hobs,
or orcs. Action resolution is attribute + 1d10 vs difficulty,
skill + 1d30 vs difficulty, or limited other d30 rolls.
Character creation uses classes, and is limited point-buy
spending separately on attributes and skills. It includes a
magic system, priestly miracles, and a host of monsters.
194 pages rules (PDF), plus 175 pages encyclopedia of monsters (PDF),
and 248 pages spell book (PDF).

A play-by-post fantasy RPG set on an original world ("Legendra")
inhabited by humans, centaurs, and the cat-like Mewyr along
with demons, gargoyles, golems, and valian.
~2 pages rules plus ~15 pages background (HTML).

A fantasy RPG set in the original world of Zandaria, designed as
a variant of the Swords & Wizardry RPG, itself a clone of 1974
Dungeons & Dragons. It has a point buy system rather than levels
and simplified classes customizable through point spending. It
also has open-ended damage, risky magic using mana points, and
Feat Points that can be spent for special moves.
BETA rules 62 pages (PDF).

The free version of a commercial fantasy RPG, set on the world of
Lociam - populated by elves, dwarves, giants, and animal-peoples as
well as humans. The free version lacks many optional rules as well
as character creation rules. The rules are based on percentile skills
for most activities, and binary skills for knowledges. Experience is
gained on individual skills based on use.
Light version rules 102 pages (PDF).

A fantasy campaign setting for use with any system, with
extensive maps and descriptions -- the land of Kaladia on the
world of Roil. It includes geography, history, and gods but
little on races, inhabitants, and culture.
~90 pages (HTML).

A simple fantasy system based on the system created by ICE for
the Middle-earth Quest Book series and then used for the
Lord of the Rings Adventure Game. Resolution is by 2d6 plus
skill versus difficulty. Character creation is by choosing a
race and profession.
26 pages rules (PDF).

A fantasy genre RPG. It includes a magic system, monsters, and
religions but not a world. Action resolution uses roll under
skill on 1d20, or 1d20 + attack stat - defense stat for combat.
Character creation is based on 37 templates, with rules for
modifying selected attributes according to a point system.
200 pages rules (MSWord format).

A post-magical-apocalypse fantasy RPG, set on Earth a few
centuries after a cataclysm in 2289 ripped the world into
different realms surrounded by faerie mists. It uses a simple
dice-pool system: roll d10's equal to skill, take highest and add
attribute.
~40 pages rules (HTML) plus ~15 pages background (HTML).

An online play-by-chat RPG, set in an original world -- the
continent of the Shadowlands in the world of Mordor. Species
include humans, sprites, dwarves, vampires (based on V:tM),
and more. It uses a mostly-freeform text-based system, with
player-defined special traits (including magic, powers, and
healing) of level 1 to 3.

A generic fantasy RPG system, where you pick three classes (out
of 12), and then put points into skills (cost varying with
class). Actions are resolved by rolling under skill on 3d6.
~40 pages ASCII text.

A play-by-email fantasy RPG with three subgames: a heroic subgame,
a military subgame, and an economic subgames. It includes detailed
rules and background, although there are no rules for non-online
resolution.
~30 pages rules and background (HTML).

A free fantasy-genre RPG set on an original world of the same name.
Action resolution is skill+2d6 vs difficulty. Character creation
is random-roll (3d6) attributes and point-bought skills. It
includes a 9-page magic system and 7-page set of race descriptions.
~35 pages rules HTML.

A bulletin-board based online RPG, based on D&D third edition.
There are no rules provided (just links for the official books),
but there is various background material primarily in the
monthly ezine.
~25 pages HTML.

A semi-generic fantasy system, in the genre of D&D and
Runequest. There are ten races: human, ogre, pygmie, gnome,
troglodyte, duck, mugwump, mongrel, gargoyle and dryad. Action
resolution is by rolling under stat+skill on 1d20. Character
creation is random-roll attributes and random-roll social class,
followed by choosing character class and point-bought skills.
~30 pages rules (HTML).

A skill-based system using playing cards. You must play a card
less than your skill and higher than the difficulty to succeed.
It includes brief supplemental rules for martial arts and magic.
~6 pages core rules (HTML), plus ~4 page supplements (HTML).

A simple homebrew system originally based on the commercial
Dragon Warriors rules, set in the fantasy world of
"Selentia" (described separately). Point-based character creation,
Resolution with 2d10 rolls vs 11+modifiers.
~25 pages rules plus ~5 pages world description (HTML).

The electronic second edition of a commercial Dutch-language fantasy RPG,
made available free through Lulu.com by publisher Frank Rieter-Lambers.
It is set in an extensively detailed fantasy world. It uses a
class/level system that uses only six-sided dice, with an
involved magical system inspired by the Earthsea books of Ursula
LeGuin, including a functional magical language.
182 pages rules and background (PDF).

A generic fantasy-genre system designed to be compatible with
AD&D. It uses roll 3d6 under attribute or percentile dice
under skill. Character creation is free-form negotiated with
the GM. This is version 1.5 as posted to the newsgroup
rec.games.design in 1993.
~30 pages rules (text-only).

An adaptation of the fantasy-genre Japanese animated series from
Group-SNE/Kadokawa Shoten Publishing, using the
Fuzion system with "Atomik Fuzion" supplemental material.
93 pages rules and background (PDF).

An RPG planned for release by Avalon Hill as "RuneQuest: Slayers",
though related to the earlier RuneQuest RPG only in spirit.
It is set on an original fantasy world. It uses a simple system
of rolling under stat on 2d10, 3d10, or 4d10 depending on
difficulty. Skills are trinary.
224 pages rules and background (PDF).

The freeware version of a published fantasy RPG. It is set on
the fantasy world of Telostic, where a once-mighty civilization
has degenerated to a level equivalent to Earth's early Middle
Ages. It uses a percentile skill-based system. Character
creation uses random-roll attributes and social position,
selecting a primary class, and point-bought skills.
481 pages rules and background (PDF).

A martial arts RPG released under the WotC Open Gaming license.
Action resolution is to 2d6 on a universal table of effective
skill vs difficulty. Character creation is limited point-based.
(Formerly the the semi-generic "IT" RPG with Robert Ogden.)
24 pages core rules (PDF).

The "quickstart" rules for a fantasy game envisioned by Larry
Elmore, set in his fantasy world Loerem. Magic is based on
the elements (Air,Earth,Fire,Water plus evil "Void" magic).
The system is Attribute die(d4 thru d10) plus Skill die versus
difficulty.
28 pages PDF format, including sample adventure and characters.

A dark fantasy RPG set in a "City of Corruption" which is the
seat of a decadent empire. The system is similar to D&D,
using a mix of resolution rolls with d20 for to-hit in combat.
Character creation is by random-roll attributes with point-bought
skills.
~44 pages HTML rules, plus ~15 pages background.

A simple fantasy system with races for elf, dwarf, and brownie
but no background yet. Action resolution is stat + 2d6, and
character creation is random roll stats plus archetype choice.
It includes a simple magic system.
~18 pages rules (HTML).

A anthropomorphic-animals fantasy RPG, set on the world of
"Neogea". It uses a dice-pool system, with open point-bought
attributes, skills, and ads/disads.
~25 pages rules (HTML, MSWord, or text-only), plus
~15 pages background (HTML).

A fantasy RPG set on an original fantasy world. Action
resolution is by (stat or skill) plus 1d100 vs difficulty.
Character creation is by a limited point system, with packaged
"aspects" that represent different backgronds and events. A
character gets 1 background aspect, 2 major life aspects, and 3
minor life aspects.
100 pages rules and background (PDF).

A formerly commercial fantasy RPG released for free, set in an
original fantasy world on the "Tomb Coast" of the Draemon Empire.
The PCs are "Reavers" -- commoners who make their fortune by
looting ancient graves protected by powerful guardians.
20 page player's guide (PDF).

An RPG using custom card mechanics that can be played as a
traditional tabletop RPG, but can also be played as a boardgame
or an inexpensive Collectible Card Game. Action resolution
is by rolling 2d6 plus stat or level aka "Stars," where 9+ is
a success. The game uses many visual icons to indicate options.
Character creation is limited point-based, using icons for "Gems
and Jewels."
~150 pages (HTML).

A fantasy-genre RPG adapted from the computer game "Two Worlds",
set on the world of Antaloor, using a variant of the "D20"
from D&D third edition. The game includes character creation,
simplified combat and skill rules, and 14 monsters.
72 pages rules (PDF).

Described as a "fantasy role-playing game and combat game" that
focuses on fantasy combat. Resolution is by rolling under
attribute on 3d6 (alternately, 4d6 or 5d6 for higher difficulty).
Character creation has two classes (warrior and wizard),
and is point-based - spending 32 points among the 3 attributes
(Strength, Dexterity, Intelligence) and picking a number of skill
slots equal to Intelligence. Wizards may pick spells equal to INT,
but have only half as many skill slots.
51 pages (HTML).

A fantasy system which focusses on magic and high fantasy,
set on an fantasy world ("Mithgerd") based closely on Saxon
and Norse folklore. Character creation is based on archetypes
with some point-bought options. Action resolution is roll
under stat on 1d10. (Archives of the longer first edition
rules and material are still available.)
26 pages basic rules; 145 pages full rules for Mortals;
~50 pages each race books for Aelfan, Duergar, and Ettin.

A free version of the "World of Heroes and Tyrants customizable RPG"
from the Guild of Blades Publishing Group. Action resolution is
by stat or skill plus an open-ended 1d6 roll vs difficulty.
Character creation is skill-based using a mix of random-roll
and point-bought.
~35 pages (HTML).